there is a new hot dog location in No VA - Windy City Redhots, http://www.windycityredhots.com/. It's a van located in a garden center on Rte 7 in Ashburn. I have been there once, had a Chicago style dog and fries. The dog was OK - I prefer chili dogs (of all the various types) or a spicy mustard dog, but since I have never had a Chicago dog before, I figured I would try it. It had all the ingredients, the dog was good, but for me, too many things getting in the way. I will leave it to real Chicago dog afficianados to decide if it's a good one or not...

there is a new hot dog location in No VA - Windy City Redhots, http://www.windycityredhots.com/. It's a van located in a garden center on Rte 7 in Ashburn. I have been there once, had a Chicago style dog and fries. The dog was OK - I prefer chili dogs (of all the various types) or a spicy mustard dog, but since I have never had a Chicago dog before, I figured I would try it. It had all the ingredients, the dog was good, but for me, too many things getting in the way. I will leave it to real Chicago dog afficianados to decide if it's a good one or not...

That just figures!!!!!!!!!!!!! I move to Culpeper for work and a new Dog/Beef joint opens up seven minutes from my old place in Sterling!!!! I think I'll make the drive up from Culpeper this Saturday for a Dog all the way and a Beef, I may even take a Polish back with me to Culpeper.

As soon as i saw the post i headed down to Windy city Redhot's. He uses Vienna Beef hot dogs. Chicago style as the name suggests was built correctly but the ingredients were bland. Neon green relish was very bland. Also tried the chili dog and the Italian beef and cheese (known as the Cheef). i was really excited when he asked me "you want it dipped? " the beef was tender and juicy but the bread was not quite up to being dipped and literally fell apart. just a few fix's and the place really stands a chance of making it. Nice kid running the place.

There is a new hot dog joint in Leesburg, Va. Lesher's hot dogs. Talked to the nice lady behind the counter and asked her what style of dog they served and the guy in front of the roller grill said "have you ever heard of the Crystal Palace in Pennsylvania?" I knew of the place but have never been there so i had no reference. "well thats the kind of dog we serve". Ordered 3 #1's (chili, mustard, and onion) and 3# 2's (Sauerkraut and Mustard). the other option was a plain dog or a Hamburger. Unfortunately the burgers were not available yet. I ate one of each on the spot and while rather small they were both pretty good. Bun was a little moist from the toppings, but i've come to expect that in this neck of the woods. They are using Berk's hot dogs, and their cili is not tomato based, just ground beef and seasoning. My kids ate the other 4 dogs and were quite happy that i didn't eat them on the way home. We might just make this place a regular stop.

How ironic as I was actually at Lesher's (28 South King Street, Leesburg, Virginia 703 / 777-3277) today after driving by the place in recent weeks and wanting to check it out. I hesitate to say this but my three-worded review is simply: WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT.

This is a shell of an operation in Leesburg's historic district and where its "kitchen" is in a would-be closet and its sole source of cooking hotdogs is one of those roller things ubiquitous to every 7-11 store in the U.S. The hotdog was seriously nothing special. This honestly looks like some type of "hobby business" serving the same darn thing I could find at any convenience store.Too bad as Lououn County, Virginia could use a hotdog place or two -- especially as Leesburg continues to await the opening of its seemingly-delayed Five Guys franchise. If are in or traveling throuh this neck of the woods however, the aforementioned Windy City Red Hots trailer (no seating / all outside) is the place to go.

In Glen Burnie, MD is Ann's. The hot dogs are fine, but nothing special. A lot of bun for the wiener, I recommend getting two wieners in each bun. My favorite thing about the place is the atmosphere. Of course, I may be a little impartial since it was a teenage hangout of my mother.

(1) The aforementioned Windy City Red Hots (http://www.windycityredhots.com/) is opening a second location this Friday and in the location of the equally aforementioned and former Lesher's (28 South King Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 703 / 669-8606).

(2) And in the category of "when it rains, it pours," a second hot dog place just opened up last Thursday also in Loudoun County, Virginia this time in Purcellville. The place is Haute Dogs & Fries (http://www.hautedogsandfries.com/index.html) and is located at 609 East Main Street (540 / 338-2439).

As the name of the place indicates, the place serves both hot dogs (griddled all beef Kayem dogs -- think Fenway Franks) and fries (frozen, yes, but both fried and spiced delicately and nicely as well as accompanied by a selection of dipping sauces -- think Pomme Frites in NYC [great homemade curry sauce!]) as well as milkshakes (although their apparatus for doing the latter broke on their third day of business). Checked-out the place yesterday and while I could take or leave Kayem dogs, a split and grilled version of the same served in an equally grilled (and buttered) New England style roll proved quite tasty so too the freshly prepared toppings (coleslaw, onions, chili, cheese, relish, etc.).

It will be interesting to watch this place take off as their seemingly purposefully limited and tasty selection along with their enthusiastic staff shows both great promise as well as a filled void in Northern Virginia's dearth of decent dogs.

OK, I'll bite on this old thread and boast that my 1/4 lb Hebrew National grilled here with a toasted roll, homemade chili and all other toppings available is as good as a dog gets, If you bite my dog, you won't regret it...I also have a Kunzler Hot Link much like Ben's Half Smoke that will get you in a right frame of mind...no brag, just fact.

OK, I'll bite on this old thread and boast that my 1/4 lb Hebrew National grilled here with a toasted roll, homemade chili and all other toppings available is as good as a dog gets, If you bite my dog, you won't regret it...I also have a Kunzler Hot Link much like Ben's Half Smoke that will get you in a right frame of mind...no brag, just fact.

What is your place in Emmitsburg? I'll soon be making my annual trip to Keystone for fireworks and would love to stop by.

OK, I'll bite on this old thread and boast that my 1/4 lb Hebrew National grilled here with a toasted roll, homemade chili and all other toppings available is as good as a dog gets, If you bite my dog, you won't regret it...I also have a Kunzler Hot Link much like Ben's Half Smoke that will get you in a right frame of mind...no brag, just fact.

What is your place in Emmitsburg? I'll soon be making my annual trip to Keystone for fireworks and would love to stop by.

I looked at your profile and think I know, but am not sure.

Yep, Rhymes with Hubby's but with a C...I don't want to get in trouble

The bar at Alexandria's Del Merei Grille serves Vienna Inn chili on their dogs, and the hot dog tasted better than what I have had at VI. I understand that the chili dogs at Bobby's Crabcakes in Rockville is also good, I have not tried them as he puts beans in his chili.

Thank you for the link. I enjoyed reading about the places in the article even though I probably won't get to any of them. I appreciate the fact that the writer mentioned the brands of hot dogs served at these hot dog joints. Too many people writing about or reviewing hot dog establishments talk about everything but the brand of hot dog which is of utmost importance. Many also fail to include how the dog is prepared.

The only good hotdog place in Maryland that I'm familiar with is Zack's, located in the White Marsh/Dundalk area. They do a wide variety of hotdogs, including Chicago dogs. Having never tried a Chicago dog actually from Chicago I can't say for sure, but Zack's dogs look like the genuine article, they advertise Vienna Beef franks on the walls, and they're delicious.

Pollock Johnny's might be worth a try though. I've never had the hotdogs there before though, only the polish sausages. And go to the Lexington Market or Washington Avenue locations, not the one in Security Mall.

McJeff - Give a try to Weenie World in Dundalk. They have skinless and natural casing dogs in a wide variety (I like the slaw dogs there) as well as foot longs and Polish Italian sausage. The fries are good as well.

Oops. My bad. I always thought that "Roadfood Digest" was a chewingthefat thread likely inquiring, "what's the worst thing you ever digested?" Again, oops. That said, good comments. That also said, this part of the world is so desperate for decent hot dogs that even if DC-3 got it half right, they'd have my business.